"... TO GIVE UNTO THEM BEAUTY FOR ASHES, THE OIL OF JOY FOR MOURNING, THE GARMENT OF PRAISE FOR THE SPIRIT OF HEAVINESS; THAT THEY MIGHT BE CALLED TREES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,THE PLANTING OF THE LORD, THAT HE MIGHT BE GLORIFIED." ISAIAH 61:3

I remembered that God is always in control. He is forever faithful. He understands our fear, tolerates our anger, and soothes our pain.

He gives us the exact measure of grace we need at exactly the time it is needed.

Corrie Ten Boom has always been a heroine of mine. I remember reading a story once about a conversation she had with her father.

When I was a little girl, I went to my father and said,
"Daddy, I am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ."
"Tell me," said Father, "When you take a train trip to Amsterdam,
when do I give you the money for the ticket? Three weeks before?"

"No, Daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train."

"That is right," my father said, "and so it is with God's strength.
Our Father in Heaven knows when you will need the strength to be a martyr for Jesus Christ.
He will supply all you need – just in time…"

Now, I realize that my small worries are nothing when compared to the incredible hardships that Ms. Corrie had to endure.

But the message still applies. God gives us the strength we need just when we need it, not before. We are on God's schedule, He's not on ours!

The song was my train ticket money. And as always, God's timing was perfect.